Nigerian lawmakers have rejected a gender equality bill that
is expected to have eliminated all forms of prejudice against
women.
On Tuesday, the senate voted against the Gender and Equal
Opportunity Bill on the grounds that the constitution has
already covered the rights of everyone.
Despite the bill not proceeding to a second reading, several
senators supported it stating that the gender and equality
bill was long overdue.
When passed the bill is expected to provided a platform to
fight gender discrimination in political and public life while
also prohibiting violence against women.
The sponsor of the bill, Senator Biodun Olujimi proposed
the law to speak on women’s freedom of movement, female
economic empowerment and access to education for the girl
child.